Undefeated in the Ring, a Boxer Shifts to Politics
BUFFALO -- Once in contention for the heavyweight crown, Mr. Mesi, known as Baby Joe, is today a contender for a different title: state senator. A Democrat, his pretty-boy swagger, popularity and fame have helped turn what was expected to be a sleepy race in the suburbs of Buffalo into a competitive and important contest in the battle for control of the Senate, analysts say.
Just a few months ago, the 61st Senate District, encompassing the northern part of Erie County and all of Genesee County in western New York, was solidly in Republican hands. But in January, the popular 15-year incumbent, Mary Lou Rath, announced that she would retire at the end of the year.
Suddenly, Democrats, who need to capture two seats to take control of the Senate for the first time in 40 years, think they have a real chance at winning a seat that had been thought secure by Republicans. And an upset victory in this district, where registered Republicans outnumber Democrats by several thousand, would get them one big step closer to controlling the Senate.
"There is a real opportunity for a pickup here," said Doug Forand, the Senate Democrats' top strategist. "This is an exciting race for us because it wasnTMt part of our original plan," he said. "This one was not on our radar, not until Senator Rath announced her retirement."
Soon after Ms. Rath made the announcement, Joseph L. Bruno, the Senate majority leader and the stateTMs top Republican, commented: “ThatTMs a Republican seat; weTMll be O.K. We have a depth of people behind her.”
But when Mr. Mesi tossed his hat into the ring last month, he immediately changed the dynamic of the race, analysts say. His record as a professional boxer is 36-0 (with 29 by knockout) and he is sometimes referred to as this cityTMs third franchise, after the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres.
Mr. Mesi, 34, announced his candidacy in a fashion that one might expect: before hundreds of cheering fans. He stood at the center of a roller skating rink just minutes before the start of a women's roller derby event.
"I am running to bring an independent voice, strong leadership and the average personTMs point of view and values back to Albany," he told reporters and patrons gathered at an Italian restaurant later that night.
Analysts believe that his celebrity will lend itself to the kind of big-money fund-raising needed to win Senate seats. And Mr. Mesi, a native of Tonawanda, a suburb of Buffalo, admits that he still has to prove that he is serious about politics and is not just some "dumb boxer."
His days are filled politicking and his nights studying politics and policy because “I donTMt know everything,” he said.
The lone Republican candidate so far is Mike Ranzenhofer, an Erie County legislator who has the support of Ms. Rath.
But first Mr. Mesi must face off against two Democrats, Michelle Iannello, an Erie County legislator, and Dan Ward, an Amherst town councilman, in a primary in early September. (Ms. Iannello is Mr. WardTMs sister-in-law.)
Mr. Ward, an attorney, said that although he is a fan of Mr. MesiTMs, he has never backed down from a good political bout.
“ItTMs just another fight,” Mr. Ward said. “Politically, ITMve been able to take a punch and ITMve always gotten back up. I havenTMt stayed on the mat in any of these races.”
Ms. Iannello said that perhaps Mr. Mesi should have paid more political dues before making a run for “one of the most important seats in New York State.”
Senator Bruno said: “I think heTMs better served continuing his career in boxing. HeTMs undefeated, and I donTMt think he wants to get into an arena thatTMs unknown to him.”
Mr. Bruno, who was the undefeated light-heavyweight boxing champion of his Army regiment in Korea, helped to promote Mr. MesiTMs most recent fight, a 10-round match last year against Shannon Miller, by putting on a display of his heavy-bag skills at a GoldTMs Gym in the Albany area. Clearly, Mr. Bruno is no longer in Mr. MesiTMs corner.
“HeTMs well known as an athlete, but what does that mean as a senator representing the constituency in Albany?” Mr. Bruno said.
Mr. Mesi said that he had in the past toyed with the idea of running for political office, but instead opted to work behind the scenes for local Democratic campaigns. But a few months ago, his older brother was laid off with about 580 other workers from local American Axle & Manufacturing plants, which make parts for General Motors, and he decided that it was time to get involved.
On a recent afternoon, Mr. Mesi loaded up his campaign managerTMs sport utility vehicle with coffee and doughnuts and headed to one of the plants to support striking workers.
The workers hoisted signs in the air and hurled insults at people crossing the picket line. They gathered round Mr. Mesi, who wore a dark blue pinstriped suit with a pin on the lapel that read, in part, “Joe Mesi Candidate.”
“I consider you guys family,” Mr. Mesi told them. “My brother is out of a job, too. It hit close to home.”
